Dear PropellerHeads:

With computers and those newfangled electronic book readers, do you think my favorite place to relax and read, the public library, will cease to exist?

A: One thing is certain: the public library, along with all things we know and love, will change. But as PropellerHeads often profess, change is not always a bad thing.

Do you remember your first visit to your library as a child? While there are many similarities with today's libraries -- books, periodicals, magazines and such -- there are obvious, visible changes. As an example, the infamous card catalog that used to be the predominant feature of every library has been replaced with computers, which along with helpful librarians will assist you in finding whatever you need.

The public library is an American invention. Although there is some debate, the first one was likely founded in Boston in 1848. Since that time, the notion of providing free information and resources to educate the public has grown not only in the U.S. but also throughout the world.

According to Carol Brey Casiano, past president of the American Library Association (www.ala.org), "Libraries are an indispensable resource for Americans seeking information. . . . Visits to public libraries have more than doubled to 1.2 billion annually in the past 12 years."

But funding for libraries comes largely from local governments. With budget concerns, many localities are feeling the crunch. Some libraries have closed, and many have had to cut hours of operation and reduce services to stay viable.

Thankfully, the need for public libraries has caught the attention of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org). Their organization is attempting to grow global libraries with the purpose of providing free public access to computers and the Internet to reach people worldwide.

Though books are still the primary focus of the library, the growth potential is through providing Internet, workstations and trained librarians to give the public the tools needed to succeed in school and life.

Even libraries now offer electronic books. For many, e-books just don't give the same feeling that grabbing a dusty tome and settling back for a good read gives. Heck, blowing a little dust off the jacket just reminds me of home.

For details on the future of public libraries, go to www.ifla.org/IV/ifla61/61-batc.htm. Better yet, pay a visit to your local public library and show your support. And don't forget to pay those late fees; the library is counting on you to ensure its future.